WE ARE CTA

325,000 MEMBERS STRONG

June 28, 2011

Latest Democratic Budget Plan Best Option for Students, Public Education and California

Contact: Sandra Jackson, 916-325-1550

SACRAMENTO – Dean E. Vogel, president of the 325,000-member California Teachers Association, released this statement about the 2011-12 Democratic State Budget plan:

“This is certainly not a perfect budget plan, but it is what Democratic lawmakers and the Governor were able to do in light of the Republicans’ refusal to work with them to pass a budget that would temporarily extend revenues to protect our students, schools and our state. We commend Democratic lawmakers for engaging in the work they were elected to do.

“While this new plan is far from what our schools and colleges need to provide all students a quality education, it protects them from much worse cuts and will help local school districts and colleges plan for the coming year. The proposal defers nearly $3 billion in funding to K-14 schools and cuts $300 million from higher education. This year as thousands of educators were laid off, class sizes pushed higher, the school year shortened, student programs eliminated, and college tuition fees increased, Republican lawmakers simply watched and offered no honest solutions that would even maintain California’s current level of funding to public education.

“Educating the children of this state and building a better future for all of us should not be a partisan issue. But Republicans hijacked the state budget process and refused to put the needs of our children above their own special interests. Our students deserve a better example and a better chance at a well-rounded and adequately-funded education.”

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The 325,000-member CTA is affiliated with the 3.2 million-member National Education Association.